How I Built This with Guy Raz
Guy Raz | Wondery
Guy Raz interviews the world’s best-known entrepreneurs to learn how they built their iconic brands. In each episode, founders reveal deep, intimate moments of doubt and failure, and share insights on their eventual success. How I Built This is a master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership and how to navigate challenges of all kinds.New episodes release on Mondays and Thursdays. Listen to How I Built This on the Wondery App or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/how-i-built-this now. Get your How I Built This merch at WonderyShop.com/HowIBuiltThis.
Episodes
Mentioned books
22 snips
Jun 13, 2024 • 49min
Advice Line with Randy Goldberg of Bombas
Randy Goldberg, co-founder of Bombas, brings his expertise to the table alongside industry innovators Rivki Itzkowicz and Änna Benchavanga. They delve into the entrepreneurial journey, tackling the complexities of brand building and community engagement. Rivki shares her vision for size-inclusive modest fashion, while Änna discusses transitioning her local boutique to a digital space. Together, they explore unique marketing strategies and the importance of storytelling to foster authentic connections with diverse audiences.
84 snips
Jun 10, 2024 • 1h 6min
Dave’s Hot Chicken: Arman Oganesyan
Arman Oganesyan, co-founder of Dave's Hot Chicken, shares the spicy journey from a humble pop-up in East Hollywood to a thriving chain of 200 stores. He humorously recounts the launch mishap of tossing cash and how strategic marketing and product quality fueled their success. Topics include the challenges of launching with minimal equipment, the excitement of celebrity influence on their franchising, and the delicate balance of skill and luck in the culinary world, all while dishing out fun anecdotes from their chicken adventure.
26 snips
Jun 6, 2024 • 37min
Advice Line with Fawn Weaver of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey (April 2024)
Fawn Weaver, founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, shares her expertise in business storytelling. She engages with early-stage entrepreneurs addressing essential branding questions. Key topics include the impact of personal narratives on consumer connections and strategies for creating authentic brand stories. Weaver emphasizes transparency in marketing and the emotional ties to products, whether it's coffee, jewelry, or baked goods. The conversation fosters a sense of community, encouraging budding entrepreneurs to share their journeys and seek guidance.
7 snips
Jun 3, 2024 • 1h 25min
ECKO UNLTD and COMPLEX: Marc Ecko
In this engaging conversation, Marc Ecko, founder of ECKO UNLTD and media company COMPLEX, shares his journey from airbrushing t-shirts in New Jersey to creating a cultural phenomenon. He discusses the hurdles of financial struggles and partnerships that nearly led to bankruptcy. Ecko reflects on launching COMPLEX to address the media's lack of diversity and celebrates ECKO UNLTD's 30th anniversary with a nostalgic limited edition collection. His story is a vibrant testament to innovation in streetwear and media.
May 30, 2024 • 47min
Advice Line with Maureen Kelly of Tarte Cosmetics
Maureen Kelly, Founder and CEO of Tarte Cosmetics, shares her innovative insights alongside Marcel Yeager, Founder of Career Valet. They dive into the secrets of marketing strategies for emerging brands, such as sweat-wicking underwear and chemical-free hair care. Topics include personalized marketing, leveraging social media trends, and the importance of authentic storytelling. Kelly and Yeager also discuss entrepreneurial challenges, empowering career trajectories, and how to engage audiences through innovative techniques.
16 snips
May 27, 2024 • 1h 1min
Concept2 Rowing Machines: Dick and Peter Dreissigacker
Brothers Dick and Peter Dreissigacker, both Olympic-level rowers, share their incredible journey in creating Concept2 rowing machines. They recount how initial skepticism turned into success after transforming bike parts in a Vermont barn into game-changing fitness equipment. With insights on navigating niche markets and competing against fitness fads, they reveal their commitment to customer satisfaction and community. Their personal experiences in rowing and innovation highlight the passion that drives their business, making it an inspiring tale of perseverance.
10 snips
May 23, 2024 • 43min
Advice Line with Tom Rinks of Sun Bum
Tom Rinks, co-founder of Sun Bum, shares his wisdom with early-stage founders navigating brand identity challenges. He engages with Wendy, a former comedian promoting a unique sugar scrub, Allyson, a reality TV producer turned trucker hat designer for women, and Zephyrus, an opera performer with a fresh bedtime storytelling device for kids. The conversation highlights the essential role of branding in making emotional connections, innovative marketing strategies, and the importance of storytelling in product development.
29 snips
May 20, 2024 • 1h 11min
Therabody: Jason Wersland
Jason Wersland, founder of Therabody and inventor of the Theragun, shares his incredible journey from a motorcycle accident to creating a revolutionary pain relief device. After crafting a makeshift massager from a jigsaw, he discovered its therapeutic benefits for himself and his patients. Wersland talks about the challenges he faced in developing his prototype, securing endorsements from top athletes, and transforming his innovative idea into a multimillion-dollar wellness brand.
22 snips
May 16, 2024 • 52min
Advice Line with Andrew Abraham of Orgain
Andrew Abraham, the founder and CEO of Orgain, shares his journey of transforming personal health challenges into a successful brand. Brynn Snyder discusses innovative marketing strategies for her electric flosser that tackles dental anxiety, while Turner Lewis reveals the challenges of launching a golf-inspired cocktail brand while working as a radiologist. They also explore the importance of storytelling and pricing tactics in engaging customers, alongside practical sales strategies for early-stage entrepreneurs.
81 snips
May 13, 2024 • 57min
nutpods: Madeline Haydon
Madeline Haydon, founder of nutpods, shares her journey from a $30,000 Kickstarter campaign to a leading plant-based coffee creamer brand available in 15,000 stores. She highlights the unique hurdles she faced as a pregnant woman of color with no food industry experience and how she navigated investor skepticism. Haydon also discusses the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, the technical aspects of product development, and the importance of community support and representation for underrepresented founders.
